Former Rangers personnel shot dead

Cops find cash, pistol on deceased's person, detain companion over conflicting statements

KARACHI:

A former sepoy of the Sindh Rangers was shot dead near Liaquatabad No10 late on Sunday night in the limits of Super Market Police Station.

The deceased was identified as Irfan Siddique, 31, son of Muhammad Siddique. He was shot four times and was shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for medico-legal formalities.

Quoting initial investigation, the police said that two armed men riding a motorcycle opened fire and shot the former sepoy dead. The police said Irfan was recently dismissed from service as he did not rejoin the force after taking a month-long leave in April. He hailed from Pashin, Quetta and lived in a rented quarter in Liaquatabad neighbourhood in Karachi.

According to the police, Irfan was accompanied by his friend, police constable Yaqoob, who is a driver for the Liaquatabad DSP. The cops further said that Yaqoob first told the police that Irfan was killed by snatchers when he attempted to resist their mugging bid. However, the police found cash and other valuables on the deceased's body and have included Yaqoob in the investigation stating that the police constable has been giving contradictory statements, which mark him suspicious.

Police said the deceased former sepoy had a 9mm pistol, Rs429,000 in cash and other valuables with him, indicating that the perpetrators did not loot him or his companion.

The incident occured on the service road headed from Liaquatabad No10 towards Erum Bakery. The furniture market located on the spot was closed at the time and streetlights are also not present in this area.

The Counter Terrorism Department and police were investigating the matter.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 31^st, 2021.